Robotics & Engineering Python

Intermediate

60 mins

Teacher/Student led

+155 XP

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
USB Cable
Raspberry Pi PICO W

Pico's First Blink

In this lesson, you'll create a simple program to make the onboard LED on your Raspberry Pi Pico blink using CircuitPython language.

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1 Introduction
2 Choose Your Editor
3 Connect the Editor to Your Pico
4 Create a New File
5 Import Libraries
6 Initialize Onboard LED
7 Turn the LED on
8 Run your code
9 Turn LED On and Off
10 Run your code
11 Create Blink Function and Loop
12 Adjust Blink Speed and Run
13 Wrap Up and Disconnect Pico
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Introduction

In this lesson, we will create a simple project to make the onboard LED on your Raspberry Pi Pico blink. To begin, connect your Raspberry Pi Pico :

to your computer using a micro USB cable.
to your iPad using a micro USB cable and a iPhone/iPad to USB adapter.

Pico: How to connect your Pico

To connect your Raspberry Pi Pico W to your computer, follow these steps:

Connect the small end of the micro USB cable to the Pico.
Connect the other end of the micro USB cable to your desktop computer or laptop.

Note: If you want to connect your Pico in USB mass storage device mode (so you can copy files to it), hold down the BOOTSEL button as you are connecting the USB to your computer.

To connect your Raspberry Pi Pico W to your iPad, follow these steps:

Connect the small end of the micro USB cable to the Pico.
Connect the other end of the micro USB cable to your iPad/iPhone USB adapter.
Connect the adapter to your iPad.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Choose Your Editor

Depending on the device you are using, you will need to use a different editor:

If you are using a PC or laptop, open your web browser and go to code.circuitpython.org.
If you are using an iPad, download and install the Koder app from the App Store.

CircuitPython: Open your editor

Depending on the device you are using, you will need to use a different editor:

If you are using a PC or laptop, open your web browser and go to code.circuitpython.org

If you are using an iPad, download and install the Koder app from the App Store.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

3 - Connect the Editor to Your Pico

If you are using the CircuitPython editor (code.circuitpython.org) then we need to connect the editor to your PICO W so that we can transfer code to it.

You can skip this step if you're using an iPad.

CircuitPython: Connect your editor to your PICO W

To connect your editor (at code.circuitpython.org) to your PICO W follow these steps:

Click the 'Connect' button.
Click the 'USB' button.
Click the 'Connect to Device' button.
Choose the option that has 'CircuitPython' in it and click the 'Connect' button.
Click the 'Use \' button to select the folder to transfer your code files to.

Your editor should now be connected to your PICO W and ready to code.

+10 XP

4 - Create a New File

Create a new file in your chosen editor and with the name 'code.py'.

CircuitPython: How to create a new file

In your CircuitPython editor (code.circuitpython.org):

Click on the 'New +' button.

Note: the CircuitPython editor starts with a new file open and ready to go, so you might not need to do this.

On your Koder app:

Tap the '+' icon in the bottom left of application, and choose New File.
Give your file the name 'code.py'.

+5 XP

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This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Pico's First Blink

Teacher Class Feed

1 - Introduction

Using a PC or laptop

Using an iPad

2 - Choose Your Editor

Using a PC or laptop

Using an iPad

3 - Connect the Editor to Your Pico

4 - Create a New File

Using a PC or laptop

Using an iPad

Unlock the full learning experience

XP